Purple Heart

GAYLORD ? A Gaylord man wounded while serving in Mosul, Iraq, with the U.S. Army Jan. 19, 2008, is expected to return home in about a month. Spc. Aaron Gougeon, son of Steve Gougeon of Gaylord and Karen Russell of Spring Hill, Fla., is back in the United States stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. During a 30-day leave, Gougeon is expected to visit his mother in Florida before returning to Gaylord. But Gougeon isn?t back for good. According to his father, Gougeon re-enlisted with the U.S. Army for another six years.

BOYNE CITY ? This Veterans Day was a little extra-special for Boyne City resident and World War II veteran Joe Habasko. That?s because 64 years after being wounded in combat in the Philippines, the 92-year-old retired postal carrier and finally received his Purple Heart. Habasko received the medal during a special Veterans Day assembly at Boyne City High School today, Wednesday. The assembly, which included several Veterans Day-related presentations, including a short video, culminated with George T. Lasater, former county sheriff, veterans book author and a U.S. Air Force veteran himself, presented the Purple Heart to Habasko.

GAYLORD - It was perplexing to Boyd Barclay and Gaylord's Louis Tebbe why there had never been a U.S. stamp issued to commemorate the men and women who earned the Military Order of the Purple Heart. In 1996, Barclay was senior vice commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Tebbe was national commander. Tebbe had only a few months left to serve on his term as national commander when Barclay came to him with the idea of trying to get a Purple Heart stamp. "I told him to run with the idea, since he was next in line to be national commander," Tebbe said.

After sustaining injuries in 2005 from a roadside bomb in Iraq, Cpl. Miguel Dominic, son of Robert and Linda Dominic of Petoskey, will be honored Friday with the Purple Heart. Miguel, 42, who is currently serving with the Idaho National Guard, will receive this distinguished honor Friday during a ceremony at the Idaho National Guard Armory in Pocatello, Idaho. "I'm surprised I'm getting this. The Purple Heart is not one (medal) you look to earn," Miguel said. "To me, it represents the blood that's been shed for this nation.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) Chapter 1985 is comprised mostly of World War II veterans, according to Lloyd J. Kramer, commander of the chapter, based in Gaylord. ?We have a small turnout for the number of members,? noted Kramer. Because those WWII members are unable to attend meetings, those men and women are kept informed of the chapter?s happenings via a monthly newsletter detailing activities, resources and accomplishments. The group?s mission is to ?support all veterans and their dependents in need.

ALANSON - In the fall of 2012, the Tanner family - Mark Tanner, his step-mother Connie Tanner and sister Irene Grant - received a phone call: a box had been found in a basement in Georgia. The box was filled with medals, badges and citations - including a Purple Heart - all belonging to a young soldier, Doug Tanner, who was killed 42 years ago. Doug was Mark and Irene's brother, and Connie's stepson. Those medals and citations should have been delivered to the Tanner family, living in Petoskey at the time, after Doug's death in 1970.

To the Editor: The Military Order of the Purple Heart (Combat Wounded), Chapter 1985, would like to thank everyone who was so generous in their support of viola sales held Sept. 1-3. Also thanks to Carter's Foods, Glen's Markets, Jay's Sporting Goods and Wal-Mart, who welcomed the volunteers selling violas. The viola is the official flower of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and is made by veterans in veterans hospitals. Proceeds from the sale of the viola are used for veterans or military personnel and/or their families and cannot be used for any other purpose.

Larry J. Erickson Sr., 71, of Farmington, N.M., passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at home with his loving family at his bedside after a lengthy illness. Larry was born on June 6, 1932, in Boyne City, to Leo and Leona Erickson. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean conflict and received a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After graduating from Colorado State of Education, he married Pat Erickson on Dec. 19, 1953, in Raton, N.M. They moved to Farmington in 1955, where he opened and operated Garden Spot Produce, and in 2000 opened Garden Fresh, both of which are still operated by his son. Larry was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and enjoyed RVing, bowling and golfing.

Francis E. "Ernie" Martin, 57, of Beaver Island, died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Beaver Island. The Rev. Patrick Cawley will officiate and burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Ernie was born Oct. 6, 1947 on Beaver Island, the son of Charles I. and Marian (McGinnis) Martin. He graduated from Beaver Island School and then served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.

Henry William Krauser, 62, of Vine Grove, Ky., died Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown, Ky. A veteran of Vietnam, he retired from the U.S. Army and also retired from civil service at Fort Knox. He was a member of the St. Brigid Catholic Church, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Stephensburg Masonic Lodge and Disabled American Veterans No. 156. He was preceded in death by his father, William C. Krauser. Survivors include his wife, Hildegard Krauser, of Vine Grove, Ky.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jackie G. and Cassandra Krauser and Robert K. and Patti L. Krauser, all of Rineyville, Ky.; his mother, Avis Heynig, of Petoskey; a sister, Melody Ann Boughner, of Petoskey; five grandchildren, Ashley, Christina, Amber and William Krauser, all of Rineyville, and Johnathan Krauser of Radcliff.

CHARLEVOIX - Teresa Irish, author of “A Thousand Letters Home,” will present the inspirational and life-affirming story of “The Journey of the Letters” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Charlevoix Public Library. Following the 2006 death of her father, Aarol W. “Bud” Irish of Saginaw, Teresa opened the Army trunk that had resided in the family home her entire life. There, nestled in row after row, were her dad's nearly 1,000 letters from World War II. The letters, postmarked from November 1942 to December 1945, were written to Bud's parents back in Hemlock, Mich., and to the sweetheart who would later become his wife.

Gordon Lee Grigsby, 80, of Petoskey, passed away Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, peacefully surrounded by his family. Gordon was born Nov. 29, 1932, the son of Clyde and Erla (Brown) Grigsby in Brutus. He grew up in Conway and graduated Petoskey High School in 1951 where he participated in football, track and basketball. He then went on to join the United States Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War from 1951-1953. He was awarded the Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his brave service.

Leslie P. "Mac" McDougal, 95, of Harbor Springs and formerly of Grosse Pointe, passed away Jan. 26, 2013, at McLaren Northern Michigan hospital. Mac was born Nov. 10, 1917, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Frank and Sally McDougal. He was a member of the first graduating class of Grosse Pointe High School now known as Grosse Pointe South. He served during World War II as a decorated Tank Destroyer Company commander from 1942-45. He received several battlefield promotions with five battle stars, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and recommended for the Silver Star for gallantry in action and earned the rank of captain.

ALANSON - In the fall of 2012, the Tanner family - Mark Tanner, his step-mother Connie Tanner and sister Irene Grant - received a phone call: a box had been found in a basement in Georgia. The box was filled with medals, badges and citations - including a Purple Heart - all belonging to a young soldier, Doug Tanner, who was killed 42 years ago. Doug was Mark and Irene's brother, and Connie's stepson. Those medals and citations should have been delivered to the Tanner family, living in Petoskey at the time, after Doug's death in 1970.

Robert L. 'Bob' Stonhouse, 86, passed away at his son's home in Alanson with his family at his side on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. It was here that Bob's family had been caring for him. Bob was born March 31, 1926, to Alan and Pauline Stonhouse. His family grew up in Flint. From 1944 to 1946, Bob bravely served his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. At age 18, he was shipped to Okinawa. Barely nine weeks after his arrival, Bob was wounded by an exploding enemy hand grenade.

Arthur George Michel, proud father, loving husband and World War II veteran, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw at the age of 86. Art was born in Detroit the son George and Catherine (Boll) Michel on Feb. 26, 1926. In January of 1944, Art enlisted in the United States Army and served in the European Theater. He was a proud member of the 87th Infantry Division and served as a member of that division during the Battle of the Bulge in the harsh winter of 1944 and 1945.

DETROIT (AP) - A 62-year-old man was fatally shot while trying to protect his grandchildren from men who broke into a home on Detroit's west side, his daughter said Thursday. Vanessa Villneff told WWJ-AM the men barged into her home about 11 p.m. Wednesday, attacked her 16-year-old nephew and threatened to kill her niece. She said her father, John Villneff, rushed over from his home next door when he apparently heard the commotion and was shot in the back. Her niece took photos of the attacker using an iPad that later were turned over to police, Villneff said.

Rev. Gerald L. Janousek of Harbor Springs, died Saturday, July 2, 2011, at Bay Bluffs of Harbor Springs, he was 89. Gerald was born June 20, 1922, in Grand Rapids where he grew up and attended school. Gerald answered his country's call in November of 1942 when he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the European Theater of Operations in Italy, Southern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe, was wounded in action in Southern France on Aug. 15, 1944, and separated from his unit.

Leonard Ptak, 87 and a 60-year resident of Boyne Falls, died June 2, 2011, at his home. Leonard was born on July 5, 1923, in Chesterfield, Mich., the son of John and Honorata (Babiarez) Ptak. During World War II, Leonard served with the U.S. Army in Europe and was for a time considered Missing in Action as well as being wounded twice in action on separate occasions for which he received the Purple Heart with Cluster. He later was placed in charge of an Allied Controlled Prisoner of War Camp in Germany which is where he learned how to ski. This knowledge of skiing soon became a love and when he moved to Boyne Falls he opened the Chateau Ptak Ski Lodge and Bike Store.

Russell G. "Bud" Blanz, of Petoskey, formerly of Allegan, died Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at the Sunnybank Assisted Living Facility in Petoskey. Mr. Blanz was born March 13, 1919, in Allegan, the son of Carl and Christine (Edgerton) Blanz. Bud graduated from Allegan High School in 1937. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in North Africa and Italy in the 16th Armored Engineers. He received a battlefield commission in 1944 to second lieutenant, receiving the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, as well as the Purple Heart.